Event Details

The Magic of Ornamental Grasses

Multnomah County Master Gardeners Speaker Series

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

The Magic of Ornamental Grasses

Speaker: Carolyn Kolb, Wind Dancer Garden

Have you ever walked through your winter garden and heard the plants whisper in the wind? Are you mesmerized by form and texture? Do you need a plant that will thrive in harsh conditions? Are you
spending too much time catering to high maintenance divas? Explore the many attributes of ornamental grasses that will grace your garden as well as your spirit. Carolyn will discuss the
characteristics of grasses that make them so appealing. Choosing the right plant for the right place can be possible with just a few simple questions. Since grasses are in their glory now, Carolyn
presents the characteristics of each genus with live plants replete with fall blooms and colors…including the must-have grasses that are just on the market. She shares her expertise in the care and
maintenance of grasses - planting, dividing, and cutting back. Whether you are a seasoned grass aficionado or just learning about them, you will appreciate (and maybe even become addicted to) the
wonders of ornamental grasses.

Twelve years ago, Carolyn and her husband Larry moved to West Salem and began their ornamental grass nursery, Wind Dancer Garden. A few years earlier, Carolyn was intrigued by a grass she had
planted in her backyard that maintained its structure all winter while adding graceful movement and cover for the birds. She had to know more about this plant family. And, as they say, the rest is
history. Now Wind Dancer Garden raises about 100 different varieties of grasses and clumping bamboo. Wind Dancer Garden has a display garden showcasing their grasses as well as companion plants,
and September is the prime time to view it. Their website contains their catalog, as well
as numerous videos about ornamental grasses. Carolyn is affectionately known as "the grass lady of Oregon".

We hold free lectures on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont St., Portland (parking on 54th). Lectures are open to
the public and start at 7 p.m. Each lecture features an expert presentation about an interesting gardening topic. We have free lectures every month except for July, August, and
December.